The US Department of Transportation has approved Louisiana's application for a US$45m grant towards a planned public-private partnership (P3) bridge project.

The US$45m Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (Infra) grant will be used by Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) is for the construction of fixed, four-lane bridge to replace the tunnel and moveable bridge on La 23 in Belle Chasse.

The grant award supports the state’s first P3 arrangement and is intended to close the funding gap for the Belle Chasse Bridge and Tunnel Replacement in Plaquemine Parish.

The Infra grant is seen as a much-needed portion of the financial package needed to complete the project. Additional funding will come in the form of US$26.2m in federal funds allocated to the Louisiana DOTD and US$12m in federal funds allocated to the Regional Planning Commission.

The remaining funding needed for the project will come through a P3, wherein a private company will provide the balance of money needed to construct the project and will recoup the investment through tolls paid by motorists using the new bridge. The private partner will maintain the new bridge through the period of the contract with DOTD.

“The Belle Chase Bridge and Tunnel is an important access point to Plaquemines Parish for residents and those traveling to and from the Naval Air Station or other businesses located along Highway 23,” said US Senator Bill Cassidy. “In addition, marine traffic navigating the Intracoastal Waterway must account for the bridge. Replacing both the bridge and tunnel is long overdue, so this grant is great news.”